Alaska is regarded as “The Last Frontier” and is one of the planet’s most peaceful destinations for fly fishing. Hobbyists, advanced fishermen, and beginner anglers alike will fall in love with the sweeping mountain ranges, hundreds of meandering rivers to wade through, and the surrounding unsullied wilderness full of a wide variety of fish and other wildlife.
To fully enjoy your fly fishing adventure in Alaska it is essential to choose your location. While there are fly fishing spots throughout Alaska some may require effort to find. If you are not staying at a fishing lodge you might consider renting a jet boat or float plane to access areas. Stick around to learn everything you need to know about fly fishing before heading to Alaska.
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Why Choose Icy Strait Point Excursions For Your Fly Fishing Trip To Alaska
At Icy Strait Point Excursions, our goal is to help visitors experience all that the wilderness of Alaska has to offer. On one of our small group spin or fly fishing excursions, we’ll show you some beautiful remote waterways surrounding Hoonah, Alaska, on Chichagof Island. Our professional guide has over 25 years of experience leading anglers of all skill levels through salmon-rich streams.
We equip you with all the fly fishing essentials like a rod, reel, waders, and other wading gear so you can focus on the best fishing experience of your life. Each fly fishing excursion is roughly four hours, so be sure to contact us ahead of your trip to book the best time for your fishing schedule.
Why Travel To Alaska For Fly Fishing?
One of the primary reasons to go fly fishing in Alaska is to take part in some of the best salmon fishing in the world. Salmon is Alaska’s state fish, so most locations in Alaska offer great fishing spots for the many salmon species available. Some of the salmon you’ll encounter in Alaska when fly fishing include:
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King Salmon
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Pink Salmon
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Silver Salmon
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Chum Salmon
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Sockeye Salmon
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Pacific Salmon
Alaska fly fishing isn’t limited to salmon runs; you can also find some of the largest rainbow trout, dolly varden trough, and subpolar species like arctic grayling and char. There are also fly fishing opportunities for northern pike, lingcod, and halibut.
There are over 12,000 rivers, three million lakes, and majestic fjords of crystal clear waters full of fish just waiting for a fly fisher to flick their lure into the waters. When fly fishing in Alaska, you can count on a thrilling experience amidst the peaceful atmosphere. Not only are the salmon runs a magnificent sight to behold, but there is an abundance of wildlife to encounter, including:
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Bears
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Moose
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Wolves
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Caribou
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Bald Eagles
Everything There Is To Know About Fly Fishing
Fly fishing is a category of the favorite outdoor aquatic sport and gets its name from the type of lure used to bait fish. The most significant difference between general fishing and fly fishing is the type of lure used in the sport.
A “fly” is a tiny lure created to look like an insect moving on the water’s surface. There is no live bait involved in fly fishing, and the flies can be bought in various colors and styles, or you can make your own with a fishing hook and various materials. You’ll also want a set of chest waders and the following gear for a successful trip:
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Waterproof bags
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Multi-layered warm clothing
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Fishing vest
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Polarized sunglasses
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Fingerless gloves
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Sunscreen
One of the best ways to ensure a successful fishing experience is to practice your casting technique. The rivers in Alaska can have rushing waters that require finesse when it comes to the distance and timing of your cast.
Another prime tip for fishing success is to know the species you’re after. Whether trout fishing or on the hunt for king salmon, each species has particular behaviors you should consider in order to pick the right fly and to time your fishing trip according to their migration and behaviors throughout the year.
Nymphing and streamer techniques are the two primary methods of fly fishing in Alaska. Nymphing is a form of dry fly fishing that uses small lures that mimic the movement of aquatic insect larvae or nymphs and is the most effective in still or slow-moving waters.
The streamer technique uses larger, more noticeable flies that imitate small bait fish or leeches in the water. This technique is excellent for snagging larger predatory fish like the rainbow trout or king salmon.
When Is The Best Time Of Year To Go Fly Fishing In Alaska
If you’re fly fishing in The Last Frontier, you’ll be happy to know the fishing season stretches throughout the year. However, you’ll have to consider the time of year and the locations of the species you have your eye on.
You can fish for king salmon starting in May and on to the fall season in September. You will also find silver salmon through the fall until November. If you’re fishing throughout the summer, you’ll always find at least one of the several species of salmon in season, like pink salmon and chum salmon, from July to August.
The Best Locations For Fly Fishing In Alaska
Avoid the crowds and fish for alternative fish in interior lakes and streams like the Kasilof rivers. Cast out for arctic grayling or head to the south central lakes to find dolly varden trout and rainbow trout from the Kenai River to the Susitna River.
Along the roadways of Alaska, you’ll find an abundance of Northern pike, burbot, and arctic char. Let’s look at some of Alaska’s most sought-after fly fishing locations!
Kenai River
The Kenai River is one of the country’s most iconic fishing destinations. Located in the southern portion of the state on the Kenai Peninsula, the river is brimming with fish like:
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Rainbow trout
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Coho salmon
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Sockeye salmon
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Dolly Varden trout
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King Salmon
Naknek River
This marvelous river flows from the Naknek Lake and runs 35 miles to Bristol Bay. Naknek River has some of the biggest rainbow trout in the world that grow to incredible sizes by eating salmon eggs, and insects. It’s also a variable highway for Pacific salmon that make their way upstream by the thousands from June to July.
American Creek
American Creek is a prolific trout and char fisherie that flows into Lake Coville in Katmai National Park. The brown bears are as abundant as the salmon in the area, offering a truly thrilling fly fishing experience.
Aniak River
The Aniak River is home to many species of fish and offers a more intimate experience as the wilderness seems completely untouched here. Guides often use jet boats to navigate the log-jammed waters and tight channels to locate species like:
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Arctic grayling
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Silver salmon
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Sockeye Salmon
Chichagof Island
Chichagof Island is located near Hoonah, close to Juneau, Alaska, and is home to a multitude of fish. It’s also a fruitful spawning ground for salmon each year, drawing thousands of species to the area for an unforgettable fly fishing experience.
Icy Strait Point is also a cruise ship docking location, so if you’re headed to the state on a cruise, you just might get to enjoy a shore excursion at one of the best places to go fly fishing in the world.
Enjoy The Breathtaking Wilderness Of Alaska With Us
Now that you know a little bit more about the sport of fly fishing and the many locations to enjoy the sport in Alaska, it’s time to get your plans in order. Whether you’re staying at a lodge with professional guides or visiting the area on your own with the intention of exploring the vast wilderness, you’ll never forget the experience that awaits you in the final frontier of America.
Icy Strait Point Excursions has everything you need to simplify your fly fishing experience here in Alaska. Not only will our professional guide lead you on a four-hour fly fishing tour to some of the hottest locations to find fish in Alaska, but you won’t have to worry about packing up all your gear for the trip. We take care of all the little details so you can truly enjoy a day on the water in one of the most beautiful fishing locations on the planet.
Contact us today to schedule your fly fishing opportunities with some of the best guides around!
